Nocera Inferiore

Municipality in Campania, Italy

Nocera Inferiore ( or simply Nucèrë, , locally ) is a town and comune in the province of Salerno, in Campania in southern Italy. It lies west of Nocera Superiore, at the foot of Monte Albino, some 20 km east southeast of Naples by rail.

The ancient city of Nuceria Alfaterna was situated nearby in Nocera Superiore. Some of the city's necropoli were located in the area of Nocera Inferiore. Its post Roman history until 1851 is in common with Nocera Superiore.

At an early date, the city became an episcopal see named Nuceria Christianorum ('Nocera of the Christians'), and in the 12th century, it sided with Innocent II against Roger II of Sicily, suffering severely for its choice. In the 13th century, and long after, the town had the name of Nocera dei Pagani ('Nocera of the pagans') because a colony of Muslim Saracens was introduced by Frederick II in the annexed territory of nowadays Pagani. The town was described as "a genuine Muhammadan town with all its characteristic mosques and minarets." It is said that, through their darker complexion and features, the townsfolk maintain the heritage of these Muslim settlers. In 1385 Pope Urban VI was besieged in the castle by Charles III of Naples. By the end of the 15th century, until 1806, Nuceria had the epithet ("of the pagans", Nuceria Paganorum); the town was then divided into 7 boroughs, that later became 5 separate comuni: Nocera Inferiore, Nocera Superiore, Pagani, Sant'Egidio and Corbara. Today the town of Pagani lies about one 1.5 km to the west.

The current name, Nocera Inferiore, derives from the Italianization of the dialectal toponym Nuceria and from the geographical position of the city that, in 1806, was born from the division of Nocera dei Pagani, sanctioning the birth of five municipalities, including the two Noceras, differentiated according to their height above sea level.

One of the most beautiful places to visit in Nocera Inferiore is the medieval castle. Strategically located on the top of Santa Andrea's hill, this fortified structure was founded in the 9th century. In 1138 it was destroyed by the troops of Ruggero II. Helena, the widow of Manfred of Sicily, was imprisoned in the Castle and died here after the battle of Benevento (1268). Here also Urban VI imprisoned the cardinals who favoured the Antipope Clement VII. The castle also had as guests the writers Dante Alighieri and Boccaccio.

The city coat of arms shows a walnut tree with golden fruits. On the red frame of the shield is written "Urbs Nuceria" in Roman letters. On the top there is a castellated crown, whereas at the bottom there is a laurel branch with golden berries and an oak branch with golden acorns tied together with the Italian tricolour ribbon. The city coat of arms has been renewed recently by Antonio Pecoraro. Since 2017 "Verrà dalla memoria" has been the anthemn of Nocera Inferiore. Lyrics were written by Teresa Staiano and music was composed by Father Carmine Ferraioli.

Nocera is connected with Naples, Avellino and Salerno by a branch railway.